OPP charge 150 drivers during eastern Ontario Festive RIDE campaign
Another holiday season has wrapped up, and so has another year of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign.
According to preliminary results shared in a Friday, Jan. 2 media release, officers across eastern Ontario arrested and charged 150 motorists with impaired driving between Nov. 20, 2025 and Jan. 1, 2026. More than 1,600 RIDE programs were conducted across eastern Ontario during this period.
Each of the 150 drivers who was arrested for impaired operation has had their licence suspended for 90 days and their vehicle was impounded for seven days. Each also has a scheduled court appearance.
Police did not release the names of those charged.
Officers also issued 28 licence suspensions for drivers who were found to be in the warn range on an approved roadside alcohol screening device.
Police are also reminding drivers that new regulations came into effect on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, resulting in increased licence suspensions and other measures aimed at reducing impaired driving.
Amendments have been made to the Highway Traffic Act and relevant regulations that address reckless and dangerous driving behaviours including:
- Lifetime driver’s licence suspension upon conviction for impaired drivers causing death
- Mandatory remedial education for first-time alcohol and/or drug-related administrative occurrences
- Longer roadside licence suspensions for first- and second-time alcohol/drug-related occurrences
- Mandatory minimum licence suspensions on conviction of stunt driving are automatically applied rather than being court-ordered
Learn more at: news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/1006892/regulations-and-statutes-in-force-as-of-january-1-2026.
“While the Festive RIDE campaign has wrapped up for the season, RIDE programs will continue,” OPP Media Relations Coordinator Bill Dickson says in a media release. “They can happen anywhere, day or night, seven days week, along major highways, rural roads or downtown streets.
“While we could be anywhere, we can’t be everywhere,” Dickson continued. “If you suspect someone is driving impaired by drugs or alcohol, call 9-1-1. You could be saving lives.”